I have a 1.7 year old pekingese/Jack Russel.. For the last three days he hasn't eaten. Today I tried to show my mom that he has no interest in his food by showing him it. He sat down and looked at it and then at me, I gave him a piece as a "treat" and he ate it, then he looked at me and then at his food bowl.. I gave him another piece and he ate it. I stuck my hand in the bowl and "played" with his food. He then proceeded to eat again. Now he won't eat the food unless it is a piece or two on the ground or if I "play" with it... My mom seems to think he is wanting "premision" to eat. Could this be true? We put down our old dog 3 weeks ago (which he has lived with since we got him) could this be causing it? (I called the vet for an appointment but he can't get in for a week, but I'm on the cancel list)

Losing another pet can certainly cause them to act strange. If he is looking for permission, say something like "go ahead".

I know in your neck of the woods you guys are having a heat wave, so it could be the heat too. Don't let him get spoiled by hand feeding him. Is he acting strange in any other way? Weird bowl movements, drooling, lethargic?

My kids need a command to start eating.
I was teaching them a trick where I leave food between their paws then say "get it" when they are allowed to eat it.

Now they need me to say "get it" before they eat their dinner :rolleyes:

Lady has to sit and wait until she get's the go ahead to eat.

If this has only been going on for three days, I would tend to think the death of the older dog is not a main factor. Heat could be big factor.

Has anything else changed like the amount of interaction you have with him or the food itself? Is this a new bag of food?

Is he bored with his food? If you put it in a treat ball does he seem more interested in it?

He hasn't really been in the heat, since he has peke in him is nose is squished in I don't leave him out to long and we have central air so our house is coldish. He doesn't seem to be acting different except not eating.